Cruise control plans accleration and braking based on traffic, speed limits, and topographical information.

Cruise control

First-aid kit

Heated steering wheel

Low-speed semi-autonomous drivingCar will accelerate, steer, and brake itself at low speeds as long as it has another car ahead of it driving at a low speed and it can detect the lane markings.

Car will accelerate, steer, and brake itself at low speeds as long as it has another car ahead of it driving at a low speed and it can detect the lane markings.

Power front side windowsOften must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.

Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.

Power locks

Power rear side windows

Proximity keyEnter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket.

Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket.

Remote appCheck on car and remotely control various functions (remote start, locks, lights, and/or HVAC) from a telephone or computer. Usually requires a monthly fee, though often as part of a package of telematics services.

Check on car and remotely control various functions (remote start, locks, lights, and/or HVAC) from a telephone or computer. Usually requires a monthly fee, though often as part of a package of telematics services.

Remote keyless entryUnlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.

Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.

Sunshades, second rowGreatly reduce the amount of sunlight entering the rear side windows. Retract into rear doors.

Greatly reduce the amount of sunlight entering the rear side windows. Retract into rear doors.

Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual

Tool kit

Universal garage door openerHomelink.

Homelink.

Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety

4-wheel disc brakesRear disc brakes.

Rear disc brakes.

AlarmOnly listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.

Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.

Antilock brakes (ABS)Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.

Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.

Around view camerasSmall external cameras provide a top-down view all around the vehicle, to reduce blind spots while parking.

Small external cameras provide a top-down view all around the vehicle, to reduce blind spots while parking.

Blind spot warning systemMirror-mounted lights indicate when another vehicle is in a blind spot.

Mirror-mounted lights indicate when another vehicle is in a blind spot.

Brake assistWhen a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.

When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.

Collision preparation system, rearAdjusts seats and/or head restraints when sensors detect that the car is likely to be hit from the rear. Might also flash rear lights to warn approaching car.

Adjusts seats and/or head restraints when sensors detect that the car is likely to be hit from the rear. Might also flash rear lights to warn approaching car.

Cross-traffic warning, rearWarns of traffic coming from either direction when vehicle is in reverse, to prevent accidents when backing out of parking spaces.

Warns of traffic coming from either direction when vehicle is in reverse, to prevent accidents when backing out of parking spaces.

Driver drowsiness monitorWarns when driver is drowsy and needs to pull over.

Warns when driver is drowsy and needs to pull over.

Electronic differential lockApplies the brakes to a slipping drive wheel to transfer torque to the other side, simulating the effect of a limited-slip differential. We haven't identified all applications, often implied by traction control.

Applies the brakes to a slipping drive wheel to transfer torque to the other side, simulating the effect of a limited-slip differential. We haven't identified all applications, often implied by traction control.

Evasive maneuver assistIf the driver initiates an evasive maneuver to avoid an object ahead of the car, the car will automatically steer the amount necessary to avoid hitting the object, if possible.

If the driver initiates an evasive maneuver to avoid an object ahead of the car, the car will automatically steer the amount necessary to avoid hitting the object, if possible.

Following distance indicatorIndicates number of seconds behind preceding car.

Radar- or camera-based collision preparation systemPrepares brakes (and sometimes also seat belts) for use when radar detects an imminent collision. Might also move seats and close windows. Early Lexus system used laser.

Prepares brakes (and sometimes also seat belts) for use when radar detects an imminent collision. Might also move seats and close windows. Early Lexus system used laser.

Rear side airbagsTorso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags.

Torso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags.

Tire-pressure monitorTwo types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.

Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.

Torque vectoring, brake-basedUses the brakes to channel torque to the outside wheels and counteract understeer. Similar to stability control, but proactive, and acting to improve cornering performance rather than prevent loss of control.

Uses the brakes to channel torque to the outside wheels and counteract understeer. Similar to stability control, but proactive, and acting to improve cornering performance rather than prevent loss of control.

Traction controlWhen a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.

When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.

Turn assistPulses the inside rear brake to help the vehicle make sharper turns at low speed in low range.

Pulses the inside rear brake to help the vehicle make sharper turns at low speed in low range.

Vehicle exit assistWarns of cars approaching from the rear when a door is opened.

Warns of cars approaching from the rear when a door is opened.

Wide-view front cameraWide angle camera allows the driver to see well to each side from the very front of the car when pulling out of parking spaces or side streets.

Wide angle camera allows the driver to see well to each side from the very front of the car when pulling out of parking spaces or side streets.

Wide-view rear cameraWide angle camera allows the driver to see well to each side from the very rear of the car when pulling out of parking spaces or side streets. A second selectable view.

Wide angle camera allows the driver to see well to each side from the very rear of the car when pulling out of parking spaces or side streets. A second selectable view.

Connects car to the Internet to update systems, download information, and/or browse. Includes internal modem, usually requires car-specific broadband service with monthly fee.

Interior air filterFilters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.

Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.

Media driveBuilt-in drive with at least 10 GB of storage for MP3 and other audio files.

Built-in drive with at least 10 GB of storage for MP3 and other audio files.

MP3-compatible playerAudio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.

Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.

Navigation systemScreen-based navigation system.

Screen-based navigation system.

Rain-sensing wipersWipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor.

Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor.

Rear air vents with automatic controlsMaintains set temperature in rear passenger area by providing heated or cooled air through vents in the center console, B-pillars, and/or ceiling. Replaces and includes value of rear air vents with manual controls.

Maintains set temperature in rear passenger area by providing heated or cooled air through vents in the center console, B-pillars, and/or ceiling. Replaces and includes value of rear air vents with manual controls.

Rear defrost

Rear heat ductsDucts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.

Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.

Satellite radioXM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.

XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.

SD Card slotSD, CF, PCMCIA, or other digital media reader.

SD, CF, PCMCIA, or other digital media reader.

Surround sound

Telematics service, such as OnStarIn-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system. For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 6-12 months.

In-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system. For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 6-12 months.

Active rear differentialActively splits power between the left and right rear wheels, which generally yields sportier handling.

Actively splits power between the left and right rear wheels, which generally yields sportier handling.

Automatic start / stopAutomatically cuts off the engine when the vehicle is stopped and restarts it when the driver lifts off the brake pedal. Not listed for hybrids, where it is generally part of the powertrain system.

Automatically cuts off the engine when the vehicle is stopped and restarts it when the driver lifts off the brake pedal. Not listed for hybrids, where it is generally part of the powertrain system.